Chile Faces Widespread Blackout Affecting Millions Amid Ongoing Investigations
On Tuesday, a massive blackout swept through almost all of Chile, leaving approximately eight million users—over 80% of the population—without electricity. The power outage began at 3:16 PM local time and raised significant concerns across the nation, which has a total population of around 20 million.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric responded to the crisis by declaring a state of emergency that would last from 10 PM to 6 AM local time. This emergency measure included a curfew aimed at ensuring public safety. In an effort to maintain order during the blackout, the Chilean government mobilized 3,000 military personnel across the affected regions, including the capital, Santiago, which saw extensive disruptions.
The blackout had severe consequences for daily life in Chile. Traffic lights ceased to function, and phone signals and internet services were disrupted, causing chaos on the streets. The subway system in Santiago was halted temporarily, while the country's largest airport continued operations, albeit with delays. Hospitals and government offices managed to operate effectively using backup generators.
The blackout originated in the Arica and Parinacota region in the north and spread as far as the Los Lagos region in the south, impacting 14 out of 16 regions nationwide. The central-northern areas, home to Chile's critical copper mines, also faced outages, leaving the Escondida mine—the world's largest copper mine—without power, which was reported by Reuters. This is concerning for Chile, as it is the leading producer of copper globally.
Cultural events were not spared from the blackout’s ramifications. The third day of the renowned Viña del Mar music festival was suspended due to the loss of power, which is one of Latin America’s most significant artistic festivals. As power began to return to parts of Santiago, residents reportedly cheered in celebration, reminiscent of the excitement typically reserved for a soccer match goal.
The National Electrical Coordinator (CEN), the agency responsible for supplying power in Chile, indicated that the power interruption resulted from a fault in a high-voltage transmission line in the northern region. They are currently investigating the root cause of the outage and assured that electricity supply would be fully restored by Wednesday morning.
In a press briefing, Interior Minister Carolina Tohá emphasized that the blackout was not the result of any external attack. However, President Boric expressed strong criticism of the electricity suppliers, stating it is 'unacceptable' for one or more companies to significantly disrupt the daily lives of millions. He insisted on the state's responsibility to ensure accountability among private power providers.
As investigations continue to determine the underlying cause of the incident, the Chilean people are left grappling with the immediate aftermath of the blackout and its effects on their daily lives.
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